Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

KYOTO, Japan, Jan. 8 Kyodo - Geiko traditional entertainers and their Maiko apprentices, wearing formal attire, greet each other ahead of a ceremony in Kyoto on Jan. 7, 2026, marking their first business day of the year. (Kyodo)

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko traditional entertainers and their Maiko apprentices, wearing formal attire, prepare to take part in a ceremony in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026, marking their first business day of the year.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko traditional entertainers and their Maiko apprentices, wearing formal attire, greet each other ahead of a ceremony in Kyoto on Jan. 7, 2026, marking their first business day of the year.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Maiko, apprentices of Geiko traditional entertainers, wearing formal attire, chat ahead of a ceremony in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026, marking their first business day of the year.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko traditional entertainers and their apprentices Maiko, wearing their formal attire, recite a pledge during a ceremony in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026, marking their first business day of the year.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on March 31, 2025, ahead of dance performances by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" alongside their "maiko" apprentices, set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on March 31, 2025, ahead of dance performances by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" alongside their "maiko" apprentices, set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on March 31, 2025, ahead of dance performances by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" alongside their "maiko" apprentices, set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on March 31, 2025, ahead of dance performances by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" alongside their "maiko" apprentices, set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on March 31, 2025, ahead of dance performances by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" alongside their "maiko" apprentices, set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on March 31, 2025, ahead of dance performances by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" alongside their "maiko" apprentices, set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2025

KYOTO, Japan, Jan. 7 Kyodo - Japanese "geiko" traditional professional entertainers and their apprentices, called "maiko," wearing formal attire, chat before a ceremony marking their first business day of the year on Jan. 7, 2025, in Kyoto. (Kyodo)

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2025

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2025

Japanese "geiko" traditional professional entertainers and their apprentices, called "maiko," wearing formal attire, greet each other before a ceremony marking their first business day of the year on Jan. 7, 2025, in Kyoto.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2025

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2025

Japanese "geiko" traditional professional entertainers and their apprentices, called "maiko," wearing formal attire, chat before a ceremony marking their first business day of the year on Jan. 7, 2025, in Kyoto.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2025

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2025

Japanese "geiko" traditional professional entertainers and their apprentices, called "maiko," wearing formal attire, attend a ceremony marking their first business day of the year on Jan. 7, 2025, in Kyoto.

Maiko in Kyoto prepare for new year

Maiko in Kyoto prepare for new year

Japanese "geiko" traditional professional entertainers and their apprentices, called "maiko," greet their dance master in Kyoto on Dec. 13, 2024, in a tradition to start preparing for the new year.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2024

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2024

Japanese "geiko" traditional professional entertainers and their apprentices, called "maiko," wearing formal attire, pray on Jan. 7, 2024, for victims of the Jan. 1 central Japan earthquake during a ceremony to mark the first business day of the year in Kyoto.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session takes place in Kyoto on March 31, 2023, ahead of dance performances by traditional Japanese female entertainers called "geiko," alongside their "maiko" apprentices, set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session takes place in Kyoto on March 31, 2023, ahead of dance performances by traditional Japanese female entertainers called "geiko," alongside their "maiko" apprentices, set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session takes place in Kyoto on March 31, 2023, ahead of dance performances by traditional Japanese female entertainers called "geiko," alongside their "maiko" apprentices, set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session takes place in Kyoto on March 31, 2023, ahead of dance performances by traditional Japanese female entertainers called "geiko," alongside their "maiko" apprentices, set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance festival in Kyoto

Traditional dance festival in Kyoto

Geisha and their "maiko" apprentices take part in a kimono-fitting session in Kyoto on Feb. 22, 2023, ahead of the annual Miyako Odori traditional dance festival from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance festival in Kyoto

Traditional dance festival in Kyoto

Geisha and their "maiko" apprentices take part in a kimono-fitting session in Kyoto on Feb. 22, 2023, ahead of the annual Miyako Odori traditional dance festival from April 1 to 30.

Geiko in Kyoto prepare for spring performance

Geiko in Kyoto prepare for spring performance

KYOTO, Japan - Geiko including young apprentices called maiko attend a photo shoot in Kyoto on Feb. 15, 2012. They had a fitting session the same day for their upcoming ''Kitano Odori'' (Kitano Dance) performances from March 25 to April 7, 2012.

Geisha entertainers, apprentices celebrate new year

Geisha entertainers, apprentices celebrate new year

KYOTO, Japan - Traditional geisha entertainers called ''geiko'' and geisha apprentices, known as ''maiko,'' celebrate the new year with sake, Japanese rice wine, at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater in Kyoto on Jan. 7, 2010. Some 100 geiko and maiko entertainers attended a commencement ceremony for their work for this year wearing black crested kimono and rice ears in their hair as lucky charms.

Geisha entertainers, apprentices celebrate new year

Geisha entertainers, apprentices celebrate new year

KYOTO, Japan - Traditional geisha entertainers called ''geiko'' and apprentice geiko, known as ''maiko,'' gather for a commencement ceremony for their work for this year at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater in Kyoto on Jan. 7, 2010. Some 100 geiko and maiko entertainers celebrated the new year wearing black crested kimono and rice ears in their hair as lucky charms.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on March 31, 2022, ahead of a dance performance by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" along with "maiko" apprentices to be held from April 1 to 24.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on March 31, 2022, ahead of a dance performance by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" along with "maiko" apprentices to be held from April 1 to 24.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on March 31, 2022, ahead of a dance performance by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" along with "maiko" apprentices to be held from April 1 to 24.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on March 31, 2022, ahead of a dance performance by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" along with "maiko" apprentices to be held from April 1 to 24.

Kyoto "maiko" girls pay courtesy call in traditional midsummer practice

Kyoto "maiko" girls pay courtesy call in traditional midsummer practice

Two "maiko" girls, or apprentices of "geisha" entertainers, clad in black formal kimono pay a courtesy call at a tea house in Kyoto's Gion district as part of a traditional midsummer practice on Aug. 1, 2015. It is customary for these entertainment girls in Japan's most renowned geisha district to make the rounds on the first day of the eighth month of the ancient Japanese calendar to express their gratitude to tea house owners and other supporters of the traditional dancers. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Geisha entertainers gather for traditional ritual in Kyoto

Geisha entertainers gather for traditional ritual in Kyoto

"Geisha" female entertainers and their "maiko" apprentices, wearing matching traditional summer costumes and raincoats, gather to pray for the improvement of their skills and health during the annual "osendo" ritual at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto on July 7, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Geisha entertainers gather for traditional ritual in Kyoto

Geisha entertainers gather for traditional ritual in Kyoto

"Geisha" female entertainers and their "maiko" apprentices, wearing matching traditional summer costumes and raincoats, gather to pray for the improvement of their skills and health during the annual "osendo" ritual at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto on July 7, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Geisha entertainers gather for traditional ritual in Kyoto

Geisha entertainers gather for traditional ritual in Kyoto

"Geisha" female entertainers and their "maiko" apprentices, wearing matching traditional summer costumes and raincoats, gather to pray for the improvement of their skills and health during the annual "osendo" ritual at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto on July 7, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Cold beer with "geisha" girls marks start of hot Kyoto summer

Cold beer with "geisha" girls marks start of hot Kyoto summer

"Geisha" female entertainers and their "maiko" apprentices serve guests at a beer garden on its opening day on July 1, 2015, at the Kamishichiken Kaburenjo theater in Kyoto, western Japan. The annual beer garden opens in the evenings through Sept. 5, except for the midsummer Buddhist "bon" holiday period of Aug. 14-16. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kyoto's geiko, maiko on stage

Kyoto's geiko, maiko on stage

"Geiko" female entertainers and "maiko" apprentices dance at a theater in Kyoto's Miyagawacho nightlife district on April 11, 2021, the final day of their annual "Kyo-odori" spring dance performance. The day's performance was the last held at the theater, built more than 100 years ago, before its scheduled reconstruction. (Pool photo)

Kyoto's geiko, maiko on stage

Kyoto's geiko, maiko on stage

"Geiko" female entertainers and "maiko" apprentices dance at a theater in Kyoto's Miyagawacho nightlife district on April 11, 2021, the final day of their annual "Kyo-odori" spring dance performance. The day's performance was the last held at the theater, built more than 100 years ago, before its scheduled reconstruction. (Pool photo)

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session is held in Kyoto on April 5, 2021, ahead of a dance performance by Japanese traditional female entertainers called "geiko" along with "maiko" apprentices to be held from April 12 to 20.

Geiko in Kyoto prepare for spring performance

Geiko in Kyoto prepare for spring performance

KYOTO, Japan - Geiko including young apprentices called maiko attend a photo shoot in Kyoto on Feb. 15, 2012. They had a fitting session the same day for their upcoming ''Kitano Odori'' (Kitano Dance) performances from March 25 to April 7, 2012. (Kyodo)

Geisha entertainers, apprentices celebrate new year

Geisha entertainers, apprentices celebrate new year

KYOTO, Japan - Traditional geisha entertainers called ''geiko'' and geisha apprentices, known as ''maiko,'' celebrate the new year with sake, Japanese rice wine, at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater in Kyoto on Jan. 7, 2010. Some 100 geiko and maiko entertainers attended a commencement ceremony for their work for this year wearing black crested kimono and rice ears in their hair as lucky charms. (Kyodo)

Geisha entertainers, apprentices celebrate new year

Geisha entertainers, apprentices celebrate new year

KYOTO, Japan - Traditional geisha entertainers called ''geiko'' and apprentice geiko, known as ''maiko,'' gather for a commencement ceremony for their work for this year at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater in Kyoto on Jan. 7, 2010. Some 100 geiko and maiko entertainers celebrated the new year wearing black crested kimono and rice ears in their hair as lucky charms. (Kyodo)

Geisha dance festival in Kyoto

Geisha dance festival in Kyoto

Geisha, wearing plain color kimono, and their apprentices "Maiko," in colorful kimono, take part in a photo session in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 22, 2018, ahead of the Miyako Odori traditional dance festival in April. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Geisha dance festival in Kyoto

Geisha dance festival in Kyoto

Geisha, wearing plain color kimono, and their apprentices "Maiko," in colorful kimono, take part in a photo session in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 22, 2018, ahead of the Miyako Odori traditional dance festival in April. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Geisha, apprentices in rehearsal for joint performance

Geisha, apprentices in rehearsal for joint performance

Around 80 geisha and their apprentice maiko take part in the final rehearsal in Kyoto on June 23, 2017, for their two-day traditional joint performance the following day. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Geisha, apprentices in rehearsal for joint performance

Geisha, apprentices in rehearsal for joint performance

Around 80 geisha and their apprentice maiko take part in the final rehearsal in Kyoto on June 23, 2017, for their two-day traditional joint performance the following day. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo